Melville - Johannesburg Suburb

Melville is the location of many restaurants and bars, which are mostly frequented by students from the nearby University of Johannesburg, located in Auckland Park, and the University of the Witwatersrand, located in Braamfontein.

The suburb was proclaimed on 5 October 1896, and is named after the land surveyor, Edward Harker Vincent Melville. In the public sale notice, the suburb was described as "picturesque and healthy spot in the vicinity of Johannesburg with a magnificent view of the wooded country to the north with the blue Pretoria ranges stretching like lines of steel against the horizon."

Melville, along with Parkhurst and Greenside is one of the few areas of Johannesburg's northern suburbs to have cafes, restaurants and shops lining the streets rather than in enclosed shopping centres. The majority of the restaurants are located along 7th Street, although there are a few new restaurants and nightclubs on Main Street such as Roxy's, Catz Pyjamas and Cool Runnings. There are over 30 guest houses in the vicinity, and Melville is a popular stopover in Johannesburg for tourists.

Many of Melville’s nicest homes, some of which date back to the 19th century, have been converted into charming B&Bs and guest houses, which are increasingly popular especially among foreign travelers. Melville also boasts an exquisite reserve known as The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve situated just north of the suburb. This spectacular nature reserve protects an extensive area of typical highveld vegetation and includes archaeological remains of both Stone and Iron Age settlements, including iron furnaces.
Melville is also near to the historic suburb of Sophiatown.